We shuffle to the kitchen in our bare feet, still half-dreaming.I make grilled cheese with the crusts cut off for Chloe and a fancy one with tomato and basil for Dahlia. Chloe sits on the counter, legs swinging. Dahlia leans against me while I flip sandwiches. It’s quiet and perfect.
After we’ve eaten, some of our energy returns.
“I vote we do something fun this afternoon,” I say.
“Surf!” Chloe says, running to look out the window.
“Oh my goodness. I forgot to show you what I got for Chloe,” I whisper to Dahlia. “Before I bring it out, I should ask…how would you feel if I took her surfing?” I ask under my breath.
Her eyes go wide. “Isn’t she too little?”
“I’ve taught dozens of kids her age.”
“Really?”
I nod. Dahlia watches Chloe’s excited bounces as she watches the surfers outside.
“Are you sure it’s safe?” she asks.
“I promise. Do you trust me?”
“Yes. But scary things happen.”
“I won’t do it if you don’t want me to,” I tell her honestly. “But we’ll start out slow. She’ll have a life jacket on, floaties too, if that makes you feel better. I’ll be holding her the whole time, and we’ll take small waves. Nothing crazy.”
“She’d love it,” she says softly.
“Okay, I’ll be right back.” I grin and hurry back to my closet.
I come back with a gift bag and hold it in the air, waving it. “Chloe,” I sing, “I have a present for you.”
Chloe’s head whips around, and she runs over, her curls boinging. “Present?”
Dahlia and I both laugh. I hand her the bag. “For you, Princess Chloe.”
She does the little curtsy that I taught her after I startedcalling her Princess Chloe. Makes me laugh every damn time she does it.
I hand her the bag, and she pulls out the wet suit I bought just for her. It’s red with big white daisies. Dahlia and Chloe both gasp when they see it. I can’t stop smiling. I knew it’d be a hit.
“For me?” Chloe breathes.
“For you.”
“Thank you,” she whispers.
There’s also a life jacket and floaties in the bag, and everything else she’ll need, but she only has eyes for the wet suit.
“I put on,” she says. “I put on and surf?” And then, jumping up and down, “I surf with Dyyan!”
Dahlia laughs despite herself, hands on her hips. “Well, who can resist that? I’m getting ganged up on, aren’t I?”
“Big time,” I say, grinning.
“If you’re sure it’s safe. Go. Before I change my mind. Dylan?”
“Yeah?”
“Be so careful.”
